Pesticide Storage, Handling, and Application - Handling

Table of Contents

1. Permanent Mixing/Loading Facilities
2. Available in Published Version of Pesticide Storage, Handling and Application

Permanent Mixing/Loading Facilities

Site Selection

To be safe, permanent facilities should be at least 90 metres (300 ft.) from:

• surface water sources
• wetlands and other wildlife habitat
• wells

or

Refer to the Storage section in the printed version of this book for specific information, including soil materials, slope, depth bedrock, water table, and distance to wells and surface water sources.

Figure 1. Choosing a location for your pesticide storage should include consideration of safety and environmental protection together with practicality.

Floor Area Requirements

Floors for combination mixing/loading pads have rounded curbs at the perimeter for access and are sloped to a central sump.

Floor-area size requirements should be based on type of application equipment and expected use of the pad. For example, dial sprayers or wide, hydraulic boom sprayers need more space. Further, if the area is to be used for unloading, cleaning calibrating, the floor area should cover the boom width. Select the floor area based on your specific requirements. The lines below may assist you.

Figure 2. Aerial View of a Mixing/Loading Pad: Floors for combination mixing/loading pads have rounded curbs at the perimeter for access and are sloped to a central sump.

For a small, drive-across combined mixing, loading and storage system - such as one suitable for a field crop operation - select a pad with the minimum dimensions of 9.1 x 9.1 metres (30 x 30 ft.).

A combination pesticide storage/mixing/loading facility for aerial application could have a pad dimension of 18.2 x 18.2 metres 60 ft.) with an additional 61 x 18.2 metres (20 x 60 ft.) for the storage area. The pad size (excluding storage area) should never be less than 4.5 x 7.5 metres (15 x 25 ft.).

Rinsate Storage and Handling Checklist

1. Sprayer rinsate and sump liquids require temporary storage prior to disposal.
   
2. Rinsate storage tanks should be located adjacent to the mixing/loading area.
   
3. Tanks of high density polyethylene or fibreglass (200-600 gal. volumes) are recommended. Smaller tank provide greatest flexibility.
   
4. Tanks and plumbing should be labeled and records kept to avoid cross- contamination of incompatible pesticides.
5. Use temporary hoses with quick release connections to avoid contamination.
   
6. Mount rinsate tanks 7.5-15 cm (3-6 in.) above pad height for easy access and observation.

Sprayer rinsate (rinse water) is wastewater from cleaning the inside of product containers, spray tanks, or other application equipment.

Roof Design and Rainwater Management

Roofed mixing/loading areas are recommended to reduce the disposal dilemma of surplus tank mixes, rinsing wastes plus precipitation.

The best designs for cold humid climates are open-ended walled mixing/loading areas - they can be used for winter storage of pesticide application equipment.

An alternative to closed wall structures are `roof-only' buildings with extended overhangs.

Pads should be constructed so that surface runoff is diverted away from the site:

• berms and raised pads are best
• drop inlet diversions for uncontaminated runoff must be designed to prevent any contamination from pesticides.

When considering roof options, remember:

• wood-frame, steel-clad roof systems are most common
  
• all-steel roof systems are a good option
  
• roof overhang should extend as much as possible to eliminate rain/snow problems - don't curtail height of entry for large equipment
  
• roof snow-load requirements for extra overhang length.

The cost of a roofed pad is much lower than the cleanup costs of a pesticide spill.

Figure 3. Roofed pad - Minimum overhang, stainless steel-lined sump.

Available in Published Version of Pesticide Storage, Handling and Application

Permanent Mixing/Loading Facilities

• Pad Design and Construction - chart
• Cross-sectional View of a Mixing/loading Pad
• Sump

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